The things I hate about loving short scales

[BassHappy]

Longer is always better!

LOL Bassdude, tell that to Stanley Clark and Jonas Helborg, not to mention Paul McCartney. Why do YOU suppose these world class monsters played shorter scale basses in what was the pinnacle of their careers? The point is - they have the dough and resources to play any bass they want, yet choose mediums and shorts. Uh, gee, I would think there might be a good reason.

The long scale and technique advocates won't get it until they are the ones struck with tendonitis, arthritis and a variety of other neck, elbow, spine, wrist and shoulder ailments from repetitive stress. Just think - if you started out on a bass that fit you properly, the chances are much slimmer that you would ever develop any of these serious health issues.

Yes, if you are a pro and play a LOT of hours every day or every week, a big bundle of repetitive stress issues are sitting out there waiting for you. There could easily be a day when you will run, not walk, to the nearest medium or short scale bass - or be forced to quit playing. Then suddenly - it all makes sense. It would be very difficult to miss all of the wonderful stories and testimonials on TB from the players in this exact situation. The badge of honor goes for being a great player, not for what scale you happen to play. Get over it. As previously mentioned in this thread - there are only a handful of players on TB that can listen to a bass track by a seasoned pro and call out the scale length. Actually, I would be surprised if there were any.

Also, for the record - shorter scales being for beginners is so yesterday - it is also a laughable myth and only exhibits a true sense of ignorance on the topic. Jonas's medium scaler goes for over $10K:

And I don't need to tell you what the Alembics cost and no, there is no discount for a shortie:

Real men and women protect their bodies and their chops at any cost, and are smart enough to play the bass that fits them. Being smart about it will allow you to play well into your twilight years without pain or stress.

More here: Why Not Play the Bass That Fits You Perfectly?

 

[Pilgrim]

My main player is a Squier bronco. People always question it. Is that a guitar? Why are you playing it upside down?? Then they hear the beast and all their prejudices falls away. It's like a P bass on crack!! View attachment 777557

Absolutely! This Squier Bronco with a Gretsch 2202 pickup and Labella Flats is a solid performer.

 

[Mustang Surly]

Who cares what other people think? If you like short scales, play 'em. If others don't, that's THEIR problem.

 

[rockscott]

Shortscales are much easier to play while singing! My birdsong short bass is boutique quality and my gibson sg is no slouch either!

 

[NoBlackTShirts]

I really do hope Squier makes a short scale P-Bass. I can no longer stand my P-basses length and would love it if they made a short scale version.

A while ago I mentioned on Talkbass my desire for Fender to make a Squier Precision Bass, just like the one in the 1964 Fender catalog, pure basic original Rev2 sunburst Precision Bass with no monkey business, only 32" scale. The louts went berserk. I can't even repeat the invective that they came up with.

It's like Talkbass exists to prove that bass players are kind of on the left side of the bell curve.

Anyway, I'm building my own, using the cheapest parts I could find. If I like it I might get deeper.

 

[radioripster]

Absolutely! This Squier Bronco with a Gretsch 2202 pickup and Labella Flats is a solid performer.

That's a sweetie. Great job.

 

[radioripster]

I just got my first short scale last March and it has been a joy to play. Of course it's easier to get around on, but anything played on the business end of the E string just ain't quite there compared to a 32" and especially a 34"..Just a little rubbery sounding I suppose you could say. It's a PJ and that rubbery stuff happens when I play with the P pickup. With the bridge pickup it sounds pretty much like a 34".

I'm afraid to switch to a short scale exclusively because I'm a fretless player too and I'm used to 34s after 30 years and don't I have to pay as much attention below the 5th "fret" now. My hands and brain have been conditioned over the years. It would almost be like a double bass guy switching to a cello. ...kinda.

Other than that, I really like short scale. I want to modify a Bronco too. A fully monty mod job. I'm stoked.


Maybe this short scale thing these days is a fad...maybe it's not. We'll just have to see. For right now, it's all good.

 

[fjadams]

Wish Fender made a Modern player P bass to go with the short lived Jazz they made last year. I'd like to have a matching set.
Still waiting on the Epiphone short scale TBird. I'll have mine preordered the minute I see anything about it.

 

[ZenG]

Check out the sales pitch on their SS Thunderbird. This straight from the Gibson site...

"perfect for players with shorter arms and smaller hands, beginners and students, or those who are more familiar with 6-string guitar scale lengths"

It just seems like they're trying to limit their market and sales when they throw that in there.

Don't you get it? Marketing!!!

Fender, Gibson, and Ibanez would like you to buy a shortscale first for your young budding son or daughter bass player......and then "progress" later on to a longscale.
That way they sell everybody at least two basses.

They deliberately keep the cheap crap-shop shorties at a lower price point because they make , in their eyes, a great first affordable "entry level" learning bass.

I don't think any of those makers has actually listened to what the public really wants.

I know if I was running the show there would be a shortscale revolution of extraordinary proportions

 

[fjadams]

Don't you get it? Marketing!!!

Fender, Gibson, and Ibanez would like you to buy a shortscale first for your young budding son or daughter bass player......and then "progress" later on to a longscale.
That way they sell everybody at least two basses.

Maybe that's why Gibson only made 400 of them. Not a lot of children and beginners plopping down $1,500 for a starter bass. Without the silkscreen Gibson on the truss rod cover it would have listed for half of that and sold for $500.
But it is a good bass and I like mine, but I wouldn't have paid what they were going for when released.

 

[ZenG]

Maybe that's why Gibson only made 400 of them. Not a lot of children and beginners plopping down $1,500 for a starter bass. Without the silkscreen Gibson on the truss rod cover it would have listed for half of that and sold for $500.
But it is a good bass and I like mine, but I wouldn't have paid what they were going for when released.

Yep...I wasn't referring to that particular bass specifically...although it reads like I am. Just referring to shortscales in general and the common oft-heard put-downs...

Maybe there's a long awaited new interest happening with shortscale...
2016 NAMM, there's Ibanez and Godin both showing new shortscales I heard....

 

[fjadams]

Yeah. I hear that all the time. All I have are shorties and people always ask why I don't play "real basses" instead of kids beginner basses.

 

[neo 7]

 

[bassdude51]

LOL Bassdude, tell that to Stanley Clark and Jonas Helborg, not to mention Paul McCartney. Why do YOU suppose these world class monsters played shorter scale basses in what was the pinnacle of their careers? The point is - they have the dough and resources to play any bass they want, yet choose mediums and shorts. Uh, gee, I would think there might be a good reason.

The long scale and technique advocates won't get it until they are the ones struck with tendonitis, arthritis and a variety of other neck, elbow, spine, wrist and shoulder ailments from repetitive stress. Just think - if you started out on a bass that fit you properly, the chances are much slimmer that you would ever develop any of these serious health issues.

Yes, if you are a pro and play a LOT of hours every day or every week, a big bundle of repetitive stress issues are sitting out there waiting for you. There could easily be a day when you will run, not walk, to the nearest medium or short scale bass - or be forced to quit playing. Then suddenly - it all makes sense. It would be very difficult to miss all of the wonderful stories and testimonials on TB from the players in this exact situation. The badge of honor goes for being a great player, not for what scale you happen to play. Get over it. As previously mentioned in this thread - there are only a handful of players on TB that can listen to a bass track by a seasoned pro and call out the scale length. Actually, I would be surprised if there were any.

Also, for the record - shorter scales being for beginners is so yesterday - it is also a laughable myth and only exhibits a true sense of ignorance on the topic. Jonas's medium scaler goes for over $10K:

View attachment 777565

And I don't need to tell you what the Alembics cost and no, there is no discount for a shortie:

View attachment 777566

Real men and women protect their bodies and their chops at any cost, and are smart enough to play the bass that fits them. Being smart about it will allow you to play well into your twilight years without pain or stress.

More here: Why Not Play the Bass That Fits You Perfectly?

I guess I should have used the "winking smiley". My (stupid) comment was an innuendo.

Some of my most favorite recordings had short scale basses. The near total Beatles catalog (actually, all of it since a Ric is also under 34". The old Cream (Jack Bruce). Yardbirds. The Kingsmen (Louie, Louie). Many "garage band" records and some of the original surf recordings from the early 60s. Many old R&B and Blues recordings also used short scale basses.

Nothing wrong with them at all! But, I will say that I don't need a Stanley Clark "wizz bang" bassist to convince me that short scale bass are A-OK. Because, it doesn't take much to please me since I am a "less is more" kind of a bass lover. When I listen to Reggae bass lines, my jaw drops open at how with pauses, rests, syncopation and 3 bass notes = bass clef magic.

Cheers! Thanks for the time to post the cool photos.

 

[rockscott]

Some shortys have a week e string, this in my humble opinion is why many bass players dont play them, Scott beckwith has re engineered the shortscale! His basses have the power,sustain & dynamics of a longscale and all the benefits of being short! You cant go wrong with a birdsong! They are well worth the money!

 

[mongo2]

Some shortys have a week e string,

So do some long scales.

One advantage I've found to short scales is they are much better at controlling dead/hot spots and are generally more even in response than long scales.

 

[delta7fred]

If you like the feel / sound / looks of a short scale then play it.

I'm an old cynic and rarely read marketing blurb because IMO it is (usually) written by the marketing department or an outside advertising agency who know next to nothing about the product. Anything they write is only there to persuade people to part with their hard earned cash and they will target whatever group they think will produce the most sales.

(I play long and short scale and love them both.)

 

[BassHappy]

I guess I should have used the "winking smiley". My (stupid) comment was an innuendo.

Some of my most favorite recordings had short scale basses. The near total Beatles catalog (actually, all of it since a Ric is also under 34". The old Cream (Jack Bruce). Yardbirds. The Kingsmen (Louie, Louie). Many "garage band" records and some of the original surf recordings from the early 60s. Many old R&B and Blues recordings also used short scale basses.

Nothing wrong with them at all! But, I will say that I don't need a Stanley Clark "wizz bang" bassist to convince me that short scale bass are A-OK. Because, it doesn't take much to please me since I am a "less is more" kind of a bass lover. When I listen to Reggae bass lines, my jaw drops open at how with pauses, rests, syncopation and 3 bass notes = bass clef magic.

Cheers! Thanks for the time to post the cool photos.

Hey Sorry Bassdude, didn't catch the sarcasm!

 

[El Pelusa]

Absolutely! This Squier Bronco with a Gretsch 2202 pickup and Labella Flats is a solid performer.

Wow! What a beauty! I bet the gretsch pickup sounds amazing! I absolutely love my Bronco!!

 

[NoBlackTShirts]

Yeah. I hear that all the time. All I have are shorties and people always ask why I don't play "real basses" instead of kids beginner basses.

Well, most musicians dress like children. Might as well be consistent.
I'm loving the Bronco I bought in 2015. It's maybe the only instrument I've had where I didn't want to change anything.